SPRAYING DEVICE HAVING CONTROLLED ADDITIVE FLUID FEED AND A TELESCOPING SPRAY TUBE ASSEMBLY

DISPOSITIF ATOMISEUR AVEC APPORT CONTROLE DE FLUIDE ADDITIF ET TUBE TELESCOPIQUE D'ATOMISATION

English Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A spraying device includes a compound four-way rotatable
control valve, an additive fluid control disc member and a spray
selector disc member, whereby a primary fluid, such as water, and
an additive fluid, such as detergent, can be sprayed or dispensed
in various spray patterns separately, or as a mixture having
selectively variable concentrations of the additive fluid in the
primary fluid. The compound four-way rotatable valve is movable
from an inoperative "OFF" position into first, second and third
"WATER RINSE", "SOAP-AND-WATER" and "SUDS ONLY" operative
positions. The control disc member includes a plurality of
orifices of various diameters for controlling the amount of
additive fluid dispensed into the primary fluid from a resilient
bladder containing the additive fluid as the bladder is collapsed
in response to external pressure thereon by the primary fluid.
The spray selector disc member provides various spray patterns as
the result of having orifices of various configurations formed
therethrough and selectively positionable in alignment with a
discharge orifice of the device. A telescoping spray tube
assembly, which telescopes outwardly in response to fluid
pressure, may be utilized in place of the spray selector disc
member.

Claims

We ?laim:
1. A hand-held spraying device having controlled additive fluid
feed, which comprises:
conduit means for conveying fluid between an entrance
orifice and a single discharge orifice from which both a primary
fluid and an additive fluid are discharged from the device;
connecting means on the conduit means adjacent the entrance
orifice of the device for connecting the conduit means to a
source of a primary fluid;
collapsible chamber means for holding a supply of the
additive fluid, the chamber means being in communication with the
conduit means and being collapsible in response to external
pressure to dispense the additive fluid into the conduit means;
a housing assembly for the collapsible chamber means, the
housing assembly comprising a housing having at least one open
end and an opposite end, the device conduit means having the
single discharge orifice formed therein adjacent one of the ends
of the housing, and having the device entrance orifice formed
therein adjacent the other end of the housing, and the housing
assembly having a first orifice through which the primary fluid
can flow from the conduit means to exert pressure on the
collapsible chamber means, and having a second orifice through
which the additive fluid can flow from the collapsible chamber
means into the conduit means;
a cap member forming part of the housing assembly in
covering relationship to the open end of the housing of the

?ousing assembly, the conduit means extending along one side of
the housing from adjacent the open end of the housing and the cap
member to the opposite end of the housing; and
control valve means disposed in the conduit means for
selectively diverting at least a portion of the primary fluid at
an upstream portion of the conduit means through the first
orifice such that the primary fluid exerts external pressure on
the chamber means to cause the chamber means to collapse and
dispense the additive fluid through the second orifice into a
downstream portion of the conduit means, the control valve means
being movable from an inoperative position in which no primary
fluid flows through the conduit means and from the single
discharge orifice, into a first operative position in which the
control valve means permits only the primary fluid to flow
through the conduit means and from the single discharge orifice,
and into a second operative position in which the control valve
means diverts a portion of the primary fluid such that the
diverted primary fluid flows through the first orifice and exerts
external pressure on the chamber means to cause the additive
fluid in the chamber means to be dispensed through the second
orifice into the primary fluid flowing through the conduit means,
for mixing the additive fluid in the primary fluid and
discharging the resultant mixture from the device through the
single discharge orifice.
2. The spraying device as recited in claim 1, in which:
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the control valve means is a rotatable valve having a first
port which is operative when the valve means is in the first
operative position, and having second and third ports which are
operative when the valve means is in the second operative
position.
3. The spraying device as recited in claim 1, in which:
the control valve means is also movable into a third
operative position in which the control valve means directs the
primary fluid such that the primary fluid exerts external
pressure on the chamber means to dispense the additive fluid into
the downstream portion of the conduit means for discharge of only
additive fluid from the device through the single discharge
orifice, while precluding flow of the primary fluid through the
conduit means for discharge from the device through the single
discharge orifice.
4. A hand-held spraying device having controlled additive fluid
feed which comprises:
conduit means for conveying fluid between an entrance
orifice and a single discharge orifice from which both a primary
fluid and an additive fluid are discharged from the device;
a housing connected in fluid communication with the conduit
means;
connecting means adjacent the entrance orifice of the device
for connecting the conduit means to a source of the primary
fluid:
collapsible chamber means in the housing for holding a
supply of the additive fluid, the chamber means being collapsible
27

in response to external pressure to dispense the additive fluid
into the conduit means; and
a control valve disposed in the conduit means for
selectively diverting at least a portion of the primary fluid at
an upstream portion of the conduit means into the housing such
that the primary fluid exerts external pressure on the chamber
means to cause the chamber means to collapse and dispense the
additive fluid into a downstream portion of the conduit means,
the control valve being selectively movable into a first
operative position in which the control valve permits only the
primary fluid to flow through the conduit means and from the
discharge orifice, a second operative position in which the
control valve diverts a portion of the primary fluid such that
the diverted primary fluid exerts external pressure on the
collapsible chamber means to dispense the additive fluid into the
primary fluid flowing through the conduit means for mixing the
additive fluid in the primary fluid and discharging the resultant
mixture from the device through the discharge orifice, and a
third operative position in which the control valve directs the
primary fluid such that the primary fluid exerts pressure on the
collapsible chamber means to dispense additive fluid into the
conduit means for discharge of only additive fluid through the
discharge orifice of the device, while precluding flow of the
primary fluid through the conduit means for discharge through the
discharge orifice.
28

?. A hand-held spraying device having controlled additive fluid
feed, which comprises:
conduit means for conveying fluid between an entrance
orifice and a single discharge orifice from which both a primary
fluid and an additive fluid are discharged from the device;
a housing open at a first end and having a second opposite
end, the conduit means having the device entrance orifice formed
therein adjacent the second end of the housing;
connecting means on the conduit means adjacent the entrance
orifice in the conduit means for connecting the conduit means to
a conduit for introducing a primary fluid into the conduit means;
a resilient bladder having an open end and positioned in the
open end of the housing for holding a supply of an additive
fluid, the housing having an orifice therein adjacent the second
end of the housing and through which the primary fluid can flow
to exert external pressure on the bladder;
a cap member mounted on the open end of the housing in
covering relationship to the open end of the bladder, the conduit
means extending along one side of the housing from adjacent the
second end of the housing to adjacent the cap member, the cap
member having an orifice therein through which the additive fluid
can flow from the open end of the bladder into the conduit means;
and
control means mounted adjacent the entrance orifice in the
conduit means for selectively diverting at least a portion of the
primary fluid into the orifice in the housing such that the
primary fluid exerts external pressure on the bladder to cause
29

the bladder to collapse and dispense the additive fluid from the
open end of the bladder through the orifice in the cap member and
into the device conduit means.
6. The spraying device as recited in claim 5, in which:
the control means is selectively movable into an inoperative
"OFF" position, a first operative position in which the control
means permits only the primary fluid to flow through the device
conduit means, a second operative position in which the control
means diverts a portion of the primary fluid through the orifice
in the housing to exert external pressure on the bladder, while
also permitting the primary fluid to flow through the device
conduit means, and a third operative position in which the
control means directs the primary fluid through the orifice in
the housing to exert external pressure on the bladder and thereby
to dispense the additive fluid into the device conduit means for
discharge through the single discharge orifice of the device,
while precluding the primary fluid from flowing through the
device conduit means for discharge through the single discharge
orifice.
7. The spraying device as recited in claim 6, in which:
the control means is a rotatable valve having a first port
which is operative when the valve is in the first operative
position, second and third ports which are operative when the
valve is in the second operative position, a fourth port which is
operative when the valve is in the third operative position, and

a fifth port for draining the primary fluid from the housing and
releasing pressure in the bladder when the valve is in the
inoperative "OFF" position.
8. The spraying device as recited in claim 1, which further
comprises:
a telescoping spray tube means forming part of the conduit
means and including the single discharge orifice of the spraying
device, for spraying fluid from the device.
9. The spraying device as recited in claim 8, in which:
the telescoping spray tube means includes automatic
extending means for automatically extending a portion of the
spray tube means outwardly in response to pressure produced by
fluid flowing through the spray tube means.
10. The spraying device as recited in claim 9, in which:
the telescoping spray tube means includes an outer tube
connected to the housing assembly and at least one additional
inner tube reciprocably disposed in the outer tube for movement
between extended and retracted positions and extendible outwardly
relative to the outer tube;
the automatic extending means includes an annular flange on
an inner end of the inner tube responsive to fluid pressure to
cause the inner tube to move in the outer tube outwardly relative
to the outer tube; and
31

the outer tube including movement limiting means at an outer
end thereof co-operable with the annular flange to limit outward
movement of the flange and the inner tube in the outer tube.
11. The spraying device as recited in claim 10, which further
comprises:
an annular seal surrounding the inner tube between the inner
tube and the outer tube, the annular seal frictionally engaging
the inner and outer tubes to provide continuous fluid-tight
sealing engagement between opposed surfaces of the inner tube and
the outer tube throughout the reciprocating movement of the inner
tube between its extended and retracted positions in the outer
tube.
12. The spraying device as defined in claim 1, in which:
the housing has a cylindrical outer periphery and the
conduit means extends inside the housing along the one side of
the housing within the cylindrical outer periphery.
13. The spraying device as recited in claim 1, wherein:
the open end of the housing receives the collapsible chamber
means and the conduit means has the device entrance orifice
formed therein adjacent the opposite end of the housing; and
the cap member is mounted on the open end of the housing in
covering relationship to the collapsible chamber means, and the
cap member has the second orifice formed therein.
14. The spraying device as recited in claim 13, in which:
32

the housing has the first orifice formed therein adjacent
the opposite end of the housing.
15. The spraying device as recited in claim 14, in which:
the valve means is disposed in the conduit means adjacent
the opposite end of the housing.
16. The spraying device as recited in claim 5, in which:
the control means is selectively movable into an inoperative
"OFF" position, a first operative position in which the control
means permits only the primary fluid to flow through the device
conduit means, and a second operative position in which the
control means diverts a portion of the primary fluid through the
orifice in the housing to exert external pressure on the bladder.
17. The spraying device as recited in claim 16, in which:
the control means is a rotatable valve having a first port
which is operative when the valve is in the first operative
position, and having second and third ports which are operative
when the valve is in the second operative position.
18. The spraying device as defined in claim 1 further
comprising:
a spray nozzle removably mounted at the single discharge
orifice of the conduit means; and
projecting pedestals on the housing assembly for receiving
and storing additional removably mounted spray nozzles.
33

19. The spraying device as defined in claim 1 further
comprising:
a one-way check valve mounted in the conduit means adjacent
the entrance end thereof.
20. A spraying device having controlled additive fluid feed,
which comprises:
conduit means for conveying fluid between an entrance
orifice and a discharge orifice of the device;
connecting means adjacent the entrance orifice of the device
for connecting the conduit means to a source of a primary fluid;
collapsible chamber means for holding a supply of an
additive fluid, the chamber means being in communication with the
conduit means and being collapsible in response to external
pressure to dispense the additive fluid into the conduit means;
and
a rotatable control valve disposed in the conduit means for
selectively diverting at least a portion of the primary fluid at
an upstream portion of the conduit means such that the primary
fluid exerts external pressure on the chamber means to cause the
chamber means to collapse and dispense the additive fluid into a
downstream portion of the conduit means;
the rotatable control valve being movable from an
inoperative position in which no fluid flows through the conduit
means, into a first operative position in which the control valve
permits only the primary fluid to flow through the conduit means,
into a second operative position in which the control valve
diverts a portion of the primary fluid such that the diverted
primary fluid exerts external pressure on the chamber means to
34

cause the additive fluid in the chamber means to be dispensed
into the primary fluid flowing through the conduit means, and
into a third operative position in which the control valve
directs the primary fluid such that the primary fluid exerts
external pressure on the chamber means to dispense the additive
fluid into the downstream portion of the conduit means for
discharge of only additive fluid from the device through the
discharge orifice, while precluding flow of the primary fluid
through the conduit means for discharge from the device through
the discharge orifice; and
the rotatable control valve having a first port which is
operative when the valve is in the first operative position,
second and third ports which are operative when the valve is in
the second operative position, and a fourth port which is
operative when the valve is in the third operative position.
21. The spraying device as recited in claim 20, which further
comprises:
telescoping spray tube means forming part of the conduit
means and including the discharge orifice of the spraying device,
for spraying fluid from the device.
22. The spraying device as recited in claim 21, in which:
the telescoping spray tube means includes means for
automatically extending a portion of the spray tube means
outwardly in response to pressure produced by fluid flowing
through the spray tube means.
23. The spraying device as recited in claim 22, in which:

the telescoping spray tube means includes an outer tube and
at least one additional inner tube reciprocably disposed in the
outer tube and extendable outwardly relative to the outer tube;
the automatic extending means includes an annular flange on
an inner end of the inner tube responsive to fluid pressure to
cause the inner tube to move in the outer tube outwardly relative
to the outer tube; and
the outer tube includes movement limiting means at an outer
end thereof cooperable with the annular flange to limit outward
movement of the flange and the inner tube in the outer tube.
24. The spraying device as recited in claim 20, in which:
the rotatable valve also is selectively movable into an
inoperative "OFF" position and includes a fifth port for draining
the primary fluid and releasing pressure on the collapsible
chamber means when the valve is in the inoperative "OFF"
position.
25. A spraying device having controlled additive fluid feed,
which comprises:
conduit means for conveying fluid between an entrance
orifice and a discharge orifice of the device:
a housing open at a first end, the housing having the device
entrance orifice formed in the housing adjacent a second opposite
end and also having a portion of the device conduit means formed
therein, the portion of the device conduit means formed in the
housing including an elongated tubular passageway integrally
formed with a wall of the housing and extending from the second
end to the first open end of the housing;
36

connecting means on the housing adjacent the entrance
orifice in the housing for connecting the portion of the conduit
means in the housing to a conduit for introducing a primary fluid
into the conduit means;
a resilient bladder having an open end and positioned in the
open end of the housing for holding a supply of an additive
fluid, the housing having an orifice therein adjacent the second
end of the housing and through which the primary fluid can flow
to exert external pressure on the bladder;
a cap member mounted on the open end of the housing in
covering relationship to the open end of the bladder, the cap
member also having a portion of the conduit means formed therein
in alignment with the portion of the conduit means in the
housing, including the elongated tubular passageway, and having
an orifice therein through which the additive fluid can flow from
the open end of the bladder into the device conduit means;
first control means mounted in the housing adjacent the
entrance orifice in the housing for selectively diverting at
least a portion of the primary fluid into the orifice in the
housing such that the primary fluid exerts external pressure on
the bladder to cause the bladder to collapse and dispense the
additive fluid from the open end of the bladder through the
orifice in the cap member and into the device conduit means; and
second control means mounted on the cap member for varying
the amount of the additive fluid dispensed from the open end of
the bladder into the device conduit means.
26. The spraying device as recited in claim 25, in which:
37

the first control means is selectively movable into an
inoperative "OFF" position, a first operative position in which
the first control means permits only the primary fluid to flow
through the device conduit means, a second operative position in
which the first control means diverts a portion of the primary
fluid through the orifice in the housing to exert external
pressure on the bladder, while also permitting the primary fluid
to flow through the device conduit means, and a third operative
position in which the first control means directs the primary
fluid through the orifice in the housing to exert external
pressure on the bladder and thereby to dispense the additive
fluid into the device conduit means for discharge through the
discharge orifice of the device, while precluding the primary
fluid from flowing through the device conduit means for discharge
through the discharge orifice.
27. The spraying device as recited in claim 26, in which:
the first control means is a rotatable valve having a first
port which is operative when the valve is in the first operative
position, second and third ports which are operative when the
valve is in the second operative position, a fourth port which is
operative when the valve is in the third operative position, and
a fifth port for draining the primary fluid from the housing and
releasing pressure in the bladder when the valve is in the
inoperative "OFF" position.
28. The spraying device as recited in claim 27, in which:
the second control means is a rotatably mounted disc member
38

having a plurality of orifices of various sizes formed
therethrough.
29. The spraying device as recited in claim 25, in which:
the first control means is selectively movable into an
inoperative "OFF" position, a first operative position in which
the first control means permits only the primary fluid to flow
through the device conduit means, and a second operative position
in which the first control means diverts a portion of the primary
fluid through the orifice in the housing to exert external
pressure on the bladder.
30. The spraying device as recited in claim 29, in which:
the first control means is a rotatable valve having a first
port which is operative when the valve is in the first operative
position, and having second and third ports which are operative
when the valve is in the second operative position.
31. The spraying device as recited in claim 30, in which:
the intermediate position of the annular seal when the inner
tube is retracted, is essentially halfway between the annular
flange on the inner tube and the annular flange movement limiting
means on the outer tube.
32. A spraying device having controlled additive fluid feed,
which comprises:
conduit means for conveying fluid between an entrance
orifice and a discharge orifice of the device:
39

connecting means adjacent the entrance orifice of the device
for connecting the conduit means to a source of a primary fluid;
collapsible chamber means for holding a supply of an
additive fluid, the chamber means being in communication with the
conduit means and being collapsible in response to external
pressure to dispense the additive fluid into the conduit means;
and
a control valve disposed in the conduit means for
selectively diverting at least a portion of the primary fluid at
an upstream portion of the conduit means such that the primary
fluid exerts external pressure on the chamber means to cause the
chamber means to collapse and dispense the additive fluid into a
downstream portion of the conduit means;
the control valve being movable from an inoperative position
in which no fluid flows through the conduit means, into a first
operative position in which the control valve permits only the
primary fluid to flow through the conduit means, and into a
second operative position in which the control valve diverts a
portion of the primary fluid such that the diverted primary fluid
exerts external pressure on the chamber means to cause the
additive fluid in the chamber means to be dispensed into the
primary fluid flowing through the conduit means;
telescoping spray tube means forming part of the conduit
means and including the discharge orifice of the spraying device,
for spraying fluid from the device;
the telescoping spray tube means including means for
automatically extending a portion of the spray tube means
outwardly in response to pressure produced by fluid flowing
through the spray tube means;

the telescoping spray tube means also including an outer
tube and at least one additional inner tube reciprocably disposed
in the outer tube and extendable outwardly relative to the outer
tube;
the automatic extending means including an annular flange on
an inner end of the inner tube responsive to fluid pressure to
cause the inner tube to move in the outer tube outwardly relative
to the outer tube;
the outer tube including movement limiting means at an outer
end thereof cooperable with the annular flange to limit outward
movement of the flange and the inner tube in the outer tube; and
an annular seal of circular cross section surrounding the
inner tube and disposed between opposed surfaces of the inner
tube and the outer tube so that the seal rolls on the opposed
surfaces of the outer tube and the inner tube as the inner tube
reciprocates in the outer tube, with the seal being rollable into
an intermediate position between the annular flange on the inner
tube and the annular flange movement limiting means on the outer
end of the outer tube when the inner tube is retracted, and
against the annular flange movement limiting means on the outer
tube when the inner tube is extended.
33. The spraying device as recited in claim 32, in which:
the intermediate position of the annular seal when the inner
tube is retracted, is essentially halfway between the annular
flange on the inner tube and the annular flange movement limiting
means on the outer tube.
41

?4. A spraying device having controlled additive fluid feed,
which comprises:
conduit means for conveying fluid between an entrance
orifice and a discharge orifice of the device;
connecting means adjacent the entrance orifice of the device
for connecting the conduit means to a source of a primary fluid;
collapsible chamber means for holding a supply of an
additive fluid, the chamber means being in communication with the
conduit means and being collapsible in response to external
pressure to dispense the additive fluid into the conduit means;
and
a control valve disposed in the conduit means for
selectively diverting at least a portion of the primary fluid at
an upstream portion of the conduit means such that the primary
fluid exerts external pressure on the chamber means to cause the
chamber means to collapse and dispense the additive fluid into a
downstream portion of the conduit means;
the control valve being movable from an inoperative position
in which no fluid flows through the conduit means, into a first
operative position in which the control valve permits only the
primary fluid to flow through the conduit means, and into a
second operative position in which the control valve diverts a
portion of the primary fluid such that the diverted primary fluid
exerts external pressure on the chamber means to cause the
additive fluid in the chamber means to be dispensed into the
primary fluid flowing through the conduit means;
a housing open at a first end for receiving the collapsible
chamber means, the housing having the device entrance orifice
formed therein adjacent a second opposite end thereof and having
42

? portion of the device conduit means formed therein, the portion
of the device conduit means formed in the housing including an
elongated tubular passageway integrally formed with a wall of the
housing and extending from the second end of the housing to the
first open end of the housing; and
a cap member mounted on the first open end of the housing in
covering relationship to the collapsible chamber means and having
a portion of the device conduit means formed therein in alignment
with the portion of the conduit means formed in the housing,
including the elongated tubular passageway, and also having an
orifice therein through which the additive fluid can flow from
the collapsible chamber means into the device conduit means.
35. The spraying device as recited in claim 34, in which:
the housing also has an orifice therein adjacent the second
end of the housing and through which the primary fluid flows to
exert external pressure on the collapsible chamber means.
36. The spraying device as recited in claim 35, in which:
the valve is disposed in the conduit means adjacent the
second end of the housing.
43

37. The spraying device as claimed in claim 1
which further comprises:
telescoping spray tube means forming part of
the conduit means and including the discharge orifice of
the spraying device, for spraying fluid from the device,
the telescoping spray tube means having an inner end
connected to the housing assembly in fluid communication
with the conduit means in the housing assembly, with the
remainder of the telescoping spray tube means projecting
outward from the housing assembly.
38. The spraying device as recited in claim 37, in
which:
the telescoping spray tube means includes
automatic extending means for automatically extending a
portion of the spray tube means outwardly in response to
pressure produced by fluid flowing through the spray
tube means.
39. The spraying device as recited in claim 38, in
which:
the telescoping spray tube means includes an
outer tube which defines the inner end of the
telescoping spray tube means connected to the housing
assembly and which projects outward from the housing
assembly, and at least one additional inner tube
reciprocably disposed in the outer tube for movement
between extended and retracted positions and extendable
outwardly relative to the outer tube;
the automatic extending means includes an
annular flange on an inner end of the inner tube
responsive to fluid pressure to cause the inner tube to
move in the outer tube outwardly relative to the outer
tube; and
the outer tube includes movement limiting
means at an outer end thereof co-operable with the
44

annular flange to limit outward movement of the flange
and the inner tube in the outer tube.
40. The spraying device as recited in claim 39,
which further comprises:
an annular seal surrounding the inner tube
between the inner tube and the outer tube, the annular
seal frictionally engaging the inner and outer tubes to
provide continuous fluid-tight sealing engagement
between opposed surfaces of the inner tube and the outer
tube throughout the reciprocating movement of the inner
tube between its extended and retracted positions in the
outer tube.
41. The spraying device as recited in claim 2, in
which:
the first and second ports in the rotatable
valve are circumferentially aligned and are selectively
movable into alignment with the conduit means, and the
second and third ports in the rotatable valve are spaced
axially along the axis of rotation of the valve, with
the third port being movable into alignment with the
first orifice in the housing assembly.
42. The spraying device as recited in claim 41, in
which:
the rotatable control valve has a fourth port
in circumferentially extending alignment with the third
port and movable into alignment with the first orifice
in the housing assembly, to direct at least a portion of
the primary fluid through the first orifice and thereby
exert external pressure on the chamber means, to
dispense additive fluid only through the second orifice
of the housing assembly and the single discharge orifice
of the device.

43. The spraying device as recited in claim 42, in
which:
the housing has a drain opening adjacent the
rotatable control valve and the valve has a fifth port
movable into alignment with the drain opening to drain
the housing.
44. The spraying device as recited in claim 43, in
which:
the rotatable valve, the first orifice in the
housing assembly and the housing drain opening all are
located at said opposite end of the housing.
45. The spraying device as recited in claim 4, in
which:
the collapsible chamber means includes a
housing having an interior in communication with the
conduit means through an orifice in the housing adjacent
the control valve;
the control valve is rotatable and includes
first, second, third and fourth ports, the first and
second ports being circumferentially aligned and
selectively movable into alignment with the conduit
means to permit flow of the primary fluid through the
conduit means, the second and third ports being spaced
axially along the axis of rotation of the valve, and the
third and fourth ports also being circumferentially
aligned, with the third and fourth ports being
selectively movable into alignment with the orifice in
the housing to cause discharging of a primary fluid-
additive fluid mixture or additive fluid only,
respectively, from the single discharge orifice of the
device.
46. The spraying device as recited in claim 45, in
which:
46

the housing has a drain opening adjacent the
rotatable control valve and the valve has a fifth port
movable into alignment with the drain opening to drain
the housing.
47. The spraying device as recited in claim 46, in
which:
a housing assembly for the collapsible chamber
means comprises a housing having an open end and a
closed opposite end;
and
the rotatable control valve, and the orifice
and drain opening in the housing, all are located at the
closed end of the housing.
48. The spraying device as recited in claim 5, in
which:
the control means is a rotatable valve having
first, second and third ports, the first and second
ports being circumferentially aligned and selectively
movable into alignment with the conduit means to permit
flow of primary fluid through the conduit means, and the
second and third ports being spaced axially along the
axis of rotation of the valve, with the third port being
movable into alignment with the orifice in the housing
to permit the diverted portion of the primary fluid to
exert external pressure on the bladder and cause
dispensing of the additive fluid into the primary fluid
flowing through the second port and the conduit means to
the single discharge orifice of the device.
49. The spraying device as recited in claim 48, in
which:
the rotatable control valve includes a fourth
port circumferentially aligned with the third port and
movable into alignment with the orifice in the housing
47

to cause dispensing of additive fluid only from the
single discharge orifice of the device.
50. The spraying device as recited in claim 49, in
which:
the housing has a drain opening adjacent the
rotatable control valve and the valve has a fifth port
movable into alignment with the drain opening to drain
the housing.
51. The spraying device as recited in claim 37, in
which:
the inner end of the telescoping spray tube
means is connected to the cap member and the cap member
defines a conduit portion extending between the conduit
means in the housing and the telescoping spray tube
means.
52. The spraying device as recited in claim 12, in
which:
the collapsible chamber means is a resilient
bladder disposed in the open end of the housing; and
the conduit means extends inside the housing
along the one side of the housing between the bladder
and the cylindrical outer periphery of the housing.
48

Description

1266848
This invention relates to a spraying device having
controlled additive fluid feed, and more specifically to a
spraying device having controlled additive fluid feed in which a
primary fluid and an additive fluid can be sprayed in various
spray patterns separately, or as a mixture having selectively
variable concentrations of the additive fluid in ~he primary
fluid.
Spraying devices are known in which an additive fluid,
such as detergent, insecticide or fertilizer, are mixed with a
primary fluid, such as water, as the primary fluid flows through
a passageway or conduit in the spraying device. For example, the
U.S. Patent 3,447,753 to R.R. Proctor et al discloses a spray
washer having a detergent feed in which a spraying device is in
the form of a cap member which is attached to a ~ar-type
reservoir for holding a detergent. The spraying device includes
a rotatable control valve movable from an "OFF" position into a
first operative position in which only water flows through the
main passageway of the device. The valve also is rotatable into
a position in which the valve diverts a portion of the water
through an auxiliary passageway into the reservoir to agitate and
stir the detergent therein, and to force the detergent out of the
reservoir into the water flowing through the main passageway of
the spraying device to a discharge nozzle. A similar spraying
device is disclosed in U.S. patent 3,770,205 to D.L. Proctor et
al, in which a rotatable control valve has a third operative
position in which the valve diverts a portion of the water
through a second auxiliary passageway into the reservoir when
pellets are being used in the reservoir.
*

1~66848
The U.S. Patent 2,795,460 to R.E. Bletcher et al, in
Figures 7, 8 and 9, discloses a detergent dispensing device in
which the detergent is stored in a resilient bag or bladder in a
jar-type reservoir. Water flowing in a main passageway of the
device then produces a vacuum on the interior of the resilient
bag, and this vacuum, in combination with atmospheric pressure in
the reservoir, causes the detergent in the bag to be dispensed
into the water flowing in the main passageway to a brush head
nozzle.
In another form of a device in which the additive fluid
is stored in a resilient bladder in a reservoir, a portion of the
primary fluid, such as water, is diverted into the reservoir to
exert external pressure on the bladder to cause the bladder to
dispense the additive fluid into the primary fluid flowing
through a main passageway of the device. This type of device is
disclosed in the U.S. Patent 3,166,096 to H. Lang in which water
flowing in a main pipe is diverted through an auxiliary line into
an ad~acent reservoir holding a resilient bladder which contains
the additive fluld. When no additive fluid is desired to be
added to the water flowing in the main pipe, a valve in the
auxiliary line is closed.
The U.S. Patent 4,418,869 to J.W. Healy also discloses
a spraying device in which, when a control valve is moved to an
operative position to permit water flow through the device, a
portion of the water is diverted into a reservoir to apply
pressure on a bladder containing the additive fluid. The
additive fluid then is dispensed from the bladder through one of
a plurality of different size apertures in a rotatable ring to

lZ66848
vary the flow of the additlve fluld into the water flowing
through the device to a dlscharge nozzle. The rotatable ring can
also be used to interrupt the dispensing of the additive fluid
from the bladder.
In another known device of the bladder type, as
disclosed in the U.S. Patent 2,891,732 to R.H. Orter et al, a
combination shower head and soap sprayer includes a switch for
interrupting water flow in the shower head and directing the
water against a piston in a soap reservoir. Movement of the
piston in the soap reservoir then forces soap from the reservoir
through a separate nozzle thereof.
Heretofore, prior known spraying or dispensing devices
as discussed above, have been limited as to their flexibility of
use for multiple purposes. In this connection, a need exists for
a spraying device of the additive fluid feed type in which the
primary fluid or the additive fluid can be sprayed or dispensed
in various spray pa~terns, either separately or as a mixture
having selectively variable concentrations of the additive fluid
in the primary fluid. A need also exists for a spraying device
in which a spray nozzle can be automatically positioned closely
ad;acent an article being sprayed without having to position the
spraying devlce, per se,
-- 3 --
" ,

~266848
closely adJacent the artlcle, and ln whlch the nozzle can readily
be retracted to an lnoperatlve posltlon when the spraying
operation ls completed. Thus, lt ls an ob~ect of the present
lnventlon to provlde such a spraylng devlce whlch ls of slmple,
rugged construction and inexpensive to manufacture.
Accordlng to the present lnventlon there is provided a hand-
held spraying device having controlled additive fluld feed, which
comprlses:
conduit means for conve~ing fluid between an entrance
orifice and a slngle dlscharge orlfice from which both a prlmary
fluld and an addltive fluld are discharged from the device,
connectlng means on the condult means ad~acent the entrance
oriflce of the device for connecting the condult means to a
source of a prlmary fluld:
collapslble chamber means for holdlng a supply of the
additive fluld, the ¢hamber means belng ln communlcatlon with the
conduit means and belng collapslble ln response to external
pressure to dlspense the addltive fluld into the conduit means;
a houslng assembly for the collapslble chamber means, the
houslng assembly comprlslng a houslng havlng at least one open
end and an opposlte end, the devlce condult means having the
slngle dlsGharge orlflce formed thereln ad~acent one of the ends
of the houslng, and havlng the devlce entrance orlflce formed
thereIn adJacent the other end of the housing, and the houslng
as#embly havlng a flrst orlflce through whlch the prlmary fluid
can flow from tbe condult means to exert pressure on the
¢ollap81ble ¢hamber means, and havlng a second orifice through
- 4 -
' ., ' ''
'

~66848
~hlch the addltlve fluld can flow from the collapsible chamber
means lnto the conduit means;
a cap member forming part of the housing assembly ln
coverlng relationship to the open end of the housing of the
housing assembly, the conduit means extending along one side of
the housing from ad~acent the open end of the houslng and the cap
member to the opposite end of the housing; and
control valve means disposed in the conduit means for
selectively diverting at least a portion of the primary fluid at
an upstream portion of the conduit means through the first
orifice such that the primary fluid exerts external pressure on
the chamber means to cause the chamber means to collapse and
dispense the additive fluid through the second orifice into a
downstream portion of the conduit means, the control valve means
being movable from an inoperative position in which no primary
fluid flows through the conduit means and from the single
discharge orifice, into a first operative position in which the
control valve means permlts only the primary fluid to flow
through the condult means and from the single discharge orifice,
and lnto a second operative position in which the control valve
means diverts a portion of the primary fluid such that the
diverted primary fluid flows through the flrst orifice and exerts
external pressure on the chamber means to cause the additive
fluld ln the chamber means to be dispensed through the second
orlflce lnto the prlmary fluld flowing through the conduit means,
for mlxlng the additlve fluid in the primary fluid and
discharglng the resultant mlxture from the device through the
single dlscharge orlfice.

1~668A8
Preferably, the control valve ls also provlded wlth a third
operative position in which the control valve dlrects the primary
fluld such that the prlmary fluld exerts pressure on the
collapsible chamber means to dispense additlve fluld into the
condult means for discharge of only additive fluid through the
discharge orifice of the device, while precluding flow of the
primary fluid through the conduit means for discharge through the
dlscharge or~flce.
In another aspect of the present lnventlon there ls provided
a hand-held spraying device having controlled additive fluid
feed, whlch comprlses:
conduit means for conveying fluld between an entrance
oriflce and a slngle discharge orifice from which both a primary
fluid and an additive fluid are discharged from the device;
a housing open at a first end and having a second opposite
end, the condult means havlng the device entrance orifice formed
thereln adJacent the second end of the housing;
connectlng means on the condult means adJacent the entrance
orifice in the conduit means for connecting the conduit means to
a conduit for lntroduclng a prlmary fluld lnto the condult means;
a reslllent bladder havlng an open end and posltloned in the
~open end of the houslng for holdlng a supply of an addltive
fluld, the houslng havlng an orlflce therein ad~acent the second
end of the houslng and through whlch the prlmary fluld can flow
to exert external pressure on the bladder;

1266848
a cap member mounted on the open end of the housing ln
coverlng relatlonshlp to the open end of the bladder, the conduit
means extending along one slde of the houslng from ad~acent the
second end of the houslng to ad~acent the cap member, the cap
member havlng an orifice therein through which the addltive fluid
can flow from the open end of the bladder lnto the conduit means;
and
control means mounted ad~acent the entrance orifice in the
condult means for selectively dlverting at least a portion of the
primary fluld into the orifice in the housing such that the
primary fluid exerts external pressure on the bladder to cause
the bladder to collapse and dispense the additive fluid from the
open end of the bladder through the orlfice in the cap member and
into the device conduit means.
In yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a hand-held telescoplng spray tube assembly, which
comprises:
a body adapted to be hand-held and having an attachment for
connecting a standard garden hose thereto;
an outer tube connected to the body in flow communication
therewith and having an outer end;
at least one additional inner tube having a flow passage
therethrough and having inner and outer ends, the inner tube
being reciprocably mounted in the outer tube for movement between
extended and retracted positions and being extendlble outwardly
relatlve to the outer tube;

~266848
flange means on the lnner end of the inner tube responsive
to pressure caused by fluid flowlng through the tube assembly, to
cause the inner tube to move to its extended posltlon in the
outer tube and outwardly relative to the outer tube:
movement limiting means on the outer end of the outer tube
co-operable with the flange means on the inner end of the inner
tube for limiting outward movement of the inner tube in the outer
tube; and
an annular seal surrounding the inner tube between the inner
tube and the outer tube, the annular seal frictionally engaging
the inner and outer tubes to provide continuous fluid-tight
sealing between opposed surfaces of the inner tube and outer tube
through the reciprocating movement of the inner tube between its
extended and retracted positlons ln the outer tube.
Preferably, the spraylng device further includes a
telescoping spray tube means of special construction having a
discharge orifice through which fluid is sprayed from the
device. The telescoping spray tube means extends outwardly
automatically in response to the pressure of fluid flow
therethrough. The telescoping spray tube means also is
constructed to readily accommodate interchangeable spray nozzles
of diferent configurations for varying and configuration of a
fluid stream emanating from the spray tube means.
Embodiments of the present lnventlon wlll now be described

~266848
vy way of example only wlth reference to the accompanylng
drawlngs ln which:
Flgures lA and lB are exploded isometrlc vlews of a hand-
held spraylng devlce;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the device
shown ln Flgures lA and lB;
Figure 3 is a view of a compound four-way control valve as
seen along the line 3-3 ln Flgure 2;
Figure 4 is an isometric view of a telescoping spray tube
assembly which may be utillzed in a modified form of the spraying
device of Figures 1 to 3, showing the spray tube assembly in an
extended operating condition,
Flgure 5 i8 an enlarged cross-sectional view of the assembly
shown in Figure 4 in a retracted inoperative condition; and
Figure 6 i~ an enlarged cross-sectional view of the assembly
lllustrated in Figure 5 taken along the line 6-6.
_ g
'
-

lX668~8
~ eferring to Figures lA, lB and 2, in the illustrated
embodiment of the invention a spraying device 10 is shown in the
form of a spray washer comprising a body or housing subassembly
12 (Figures lB and 2) and a cap subassembly 14 (Figures lA and 2)
through which a primary fluid, such as water, can flow during a
spraying operation. The spraying device 10 further includes a
resilient collapsible cylindrical rubber bladder 16 (Figures lB
and 2) which defines a chamber for an additive fluid, such as
soap or detergent, and from which the additive fluid can be
dispensed during a spraying operation by exerting external
pressure on the bladder.
The housing subassembly 12 (Figures lB and 2) includes
a plastic (e.g., polyethylene) housing 18 of generally
cylindrical construction which has an open end 180, and an
essentially closed end 18c. A circumferentially extending
support flange 20 is provided around the open end 180 of the
housing 18. A pro~ecting connecting portion 22 extends from a
cylindrical valve-mounting portion 23 ad~acent the essentially
closed end 18c of the housing 18 and is internally threaded for
connecting the housing to a water source, such as a garden hose
or pipe 24, illustrated in dashed lines ad~acent the bottom of
Figure 2.
The connecting portion 22 and the valve-mounting
portion 23 of the housing 18 include an internal passageway or
conduit portion 26 (best shown in Figure 2) which defines an
entrance portion of a conduit for the flow of water through the
housing. The connecting portion 22 communicates with an
elongated tubular passageway or conduit 28 having walls formed
-- 10 --

~;~66848
integrally with an interior wall of the housing 18 and extending
the length (vertically in Flgures 1 and 2) of the housing. Water
flow from the entrance passageway 26 into the tubular passageway
28 is controlled by a compound four-way rotatable plastic valve
30. Reverse flow of water in the entrance passageway 26 is
precluded by a one-way plastic check valve 32 of a suitable type.
The collapsible resilient bladder 16 is positionable in
the open end 18O of the housing 18 into the interior of the
housing as shown in Figure 2. The bladder 16 includes an open end
16O and a circumferentially extendlng support flange 36 of
eccentric constructlon, as is best shown in Figure lB. The
flange 36 mates wlth the circumferentially extending support
flange 20 of the housing 18 and includes a circumferentially
extending groove 38 (Figure 2) which receives a corresponding
sealing ring 40 of the flange 20. An eccentric portion of the
flange 36 includes an aperture 42 formed in the flange so as to
be in alignment with the housing tubular passageway 28.
The essentially closed end wall 18c of the housing 18
is provided with an orifice 44 which interconnects the entrance
passageway 26 of the housing connecting portion 22 and valve-
mounting portion 23 with the interior of the housing so that
water can be selectively introduced into the housing to exert
external pressure on the bladder 16 within the housing, so as to
cause the bladder to collapse and thereby dispense the soap or
detergent therein through an orifice 46 formed in a wall of a
plastic cap member 48 of the cap subassembly 14. As in the flow
of water from the entrance passageway 26 into the tubular
passageway 28, flow of water from the entrance passageway 26
-- 11 --

~Z~6848
through the orifice 44 into the interior of the housing 18 is
controlled by the compound rotatable control valve 30.
The compound rotatable control valve 30 is disposed
transversely across the entrance passageway 26 of the housing
connecting portion 22 and valve-mounting portion 23 and is
rotatably mounted in the valve-mounting portion. The rotatable
control valve 30 is maintained in position in the valve-mounting
portion 23 by a C-shaped spring clip 50 disposed in a
circumferentially extending groove 51 formed in the rotatable
valve at the right-hand side thereof as viewed in Figures lB and
2. An indicator disc 52, having gripping ears 53, is integrally
formed on the left-hand side of the rotatable control valve 30,
as viewed in Figures lB and 2, and includes peripheral indicating
grooves 54-0, 54-W, 54-B and 54-S for selectively receiving a
locating rib on a lower slde of a projecting resilient retaining
post 55 integrally formed on the housing 18, as is best shown in
Figure lB. The rotatable control valve 30 also carries suitable
0-ring seals 56 for precluding flow of water out of the entrance
passageway 26 around the opposite ends of the valve.
More specifically, the compound rotatable control valve
30 includes a body portion 58 having a cylindrical outer surface,
but with a part of the body portion cut away to expose an
interior cylindrical surface 60 facing generally toward the
direction from which water flows into the entrance passageway 26.
25 Four valve ports 62, 64, 66 and 68 are formed diametrically
through the body portion 58 of the control valve 30 so that one
end of each port opens through the cylindrical outer surface of
the body portion and an opposite end of each port opens through
- 12 -

~266848
the interior cylindrical surface 60 of the body portion. As
viewed in Figure lB, the port 62 extends through the body portion
58 at an angle to the vertical in a first direction (downward to
the left in Figure lB), the ports 64 and 66, which are spaced
axially along the axis of rotation of the valve, extend
vertically and the port 58 extends at an angle to the vertical in
an opposite direction (downward to the right in Figure lB). The
ports 62 and 64, which are circumferentially aligned and thus,
can be selectively aligned with the housing tubular passageway 28
for controlling the flow of water into the tubular passageway,
are relatively large in diameter in comparison to the ports 66
and 68, which also are circumferentially aligned and thus, can be
selectively aligned with the orifice 44 in the end wall 18c of
the housing 18 for controlling the flow of water through the
orifice into the interior of the housing. O-ring seals 69 are
disposed in corresponding grooves in the wall 18c of the housing
around entrances to the tubular passageway 28 and the orifice 44
respectively.
As is best shown in Figure 2, the essentially closed end
wall 18c of the housing 18 also includes a drain hole 70
surrounded by an 0-ring seal 71, and the cylindrical valve-
mounting portion 23 of the housing 18 includes a drain hole 72,
for draining water from the interior of the housing and relieving
pressure of the bladder 16. For this purpose, the rotatable
control valve 30 includes a drain port 73 e~tending diametrically
therethrough and alignable with the drain holes 70 and 72 when
the valve is in an inoperable "OFF" position.

~Z66848
In operation of the rotatable control valve 30,
rotation of the valve counterclockwise as viewed in Figure lB, so
that the locating rib on the retaining post 55 is received in the
right-hand groove 54-0 of the indicator disc 52, moves the valve
into its inoperative "OFF" position. In this "OFF" position,
neither of the ports 62 or 64 is aligned with the housing tubular
passageway 28, neither of the ports 66 or 68 is aligned with the
housing orifice 44, and the drain port 73 is aligned with the
housing drain holes 70 and 72. When the control valve 30 then is
rotated clockwise, as shown in Figure lB, so that the locating
rib of the retaining post 55 is received in the indicator disc
groove 54-W, the valve is moved into a first operative position
in which the port 62 is aligned with the tubular passageway 28
for a "WATER RINSE" operation. By then rotating the control
valve 30 an additional step clockwise as viewed in Figure lB,
such that the locating rib of the retaining post 55 is received
in the indicator disc groove 54-B, the control valve assumes a
second operative position in which the ports 64 and 66 are
aligned with the housing tubular passageway 28 and the housing
orifice 44, respectively, for a "SOAP-AND-WATER" dispensing
operation, in which soap in the bladder 16 is dispensed and added
to water downstream in the cap member 48 of the cap member
subassembly 14, such that mixed soap and water both flow from the
spraying device 10. Rotation of the control valve 30 clockwise
an additlonal step in Figure lB, to position the locating rib of
: the retaining post 55 in the disc indicator groove 54-S, then
brings the control valve into a third operative condition in
which the port 68 is aligned with the housing orifice 44 for a
- 14 -
,

~266848
"SOAP ONLY" operation, in which soap is dispensed from the
bladder 16 for discharge from the spraying device 10, while the
central body portion 58 of the control valve 30 precludes flow of
water into the housing tubular passageway 28 and thus precludes
discharge of water from the spraying device.
The soap is dispensed from the bladder 16 through the
orifice 46 in the cap member 48 into an internal passageway or
conduit portion 74 which is formed in a pro~ecting pedestal 75 of
the cap member and which is aligned with the tubular passageway
28 in the housing 18. A removable plug 76, which includes an 0-
ring seal 78, is screw threaded into an opening which is formed
in a pedestal portion 80 of the cap member 48, and through which
the bladder can be replenished with soap from a dispenser bottle
(not shown) as necessary. The cap member 48 is of a snap-on type
so as to be removably mounted on the open end 180 of the housing
18 in covering relationship to the open end 160 of the bladder
16, with an annular groove 83 of bladder support flange 36
receiving a corresponding annular sealing ring on the cap member,
as shown in Figure 2.
The cap subassembly 14 includes a rotatably mounted
plastic partial disc member 84 for selectively varying the amount
of soap which is dispensed from the bladder 16 through the
orifice 46 in the cap member 48. For this purpose, the disc
member 84 has a plurality of orifices 86 of different diameters
formed therethrough, and the disc member is rotatably mounted to
position a selected one of the orifices in alignment with the
orifice 46 in the cap member 48. Flow of soap through the
orifice 46 other than by way of one of the orifices 86 in the
- 15 -

1266848
disc member 84 ls precluded by a suitable 0-ring seal 87 (Figure
2). Further, when none of the orifices 86 in the disc member 8
are in alignment with the orifice 46, the disc member can be
utilized to supplement the rotatable control valve 30 in
precluding flow of soap from the bladder 16.
The disc member 84 is integrally formed on an inner end
of a support shaft 89 rotatably mounted in a projecting pedestal
90 of the cap member 48. An outer end of the support shaft 89 is
secured to an operating lever 92 by a screw 93. As is shown in
Figure lA, the operating lever 92 includes a depending indicating
finger 94 cooperable with suitable indicia 95 on the top of the
cap member 48. A suitable 0-ring seal 96 surrounds the support
shaft 89 within the pro~ecting pedestal 90, as shown in Figure 2.
The pedestal 90 is integrally ~oined to the cap member pedestal
75 by a reinforcing web 97.
A fluid conduit portion in the form of an elongated
plastic tube 98, which forms an extension of the internal
passageway 74 in the cap member pedestal 75, has an inner end
force-fitted into a tube holder 100, and has an outer end force-
fitted into a plastic support member 102 for a plastic sprayselector disc member 104. The tube holder 100 includes an inner
mounting portion having a slight inward taper (e.g., 1) which is
force-fitted or otherwise suitably mounted into the internal
passageway 74 of the cap member pedestal 75, and which carries a
pair of suitable 0-ring seals 106.
The spray selector disc member 104 is removably and
rotatably mounted on the support member 102 by a central shaft
108 of the disc member extending through an aperture in the
- 16 -

~266848
support member, with a suitable C-shaped spring clip 110 disposed
in an associated circumferentially extending groove in the
central shaft. The disc member 104 has a plurality of orifices
112 of different configurations formed therethrough which can be
selectively aligned with a discharge opening 114 in the support
member 102 and the outer end of the elongated tube 98, to provide
different spray patterns for a fluid stream emanating from the
discharge opening. For example, the disclosed spray selector
disc member 104 includes orifices 112 in the form of a small
diameter hole (Figure lA) for producing a fine spray, a larger
diameter hole (Figure lA) for producing a coarse spray, an
elongated slot (Figures lA and 2) having interior spherically-
shaped walls for producing a coarse fan spray, and a similarly
shaped shorter slot (Figure lA) for producing a fine fan spray.
The dlsc member 104 also can be removed from the support member
102 and replaced with other spray selector disc members (not
shown) having spray-defining orifices of other configurations, as
desired. An 0-ring seal 116 (Flgure 2), disposed in a
corresponding groove of the support member 102, surrounds the
discharge opening 114 in the support member. In addition, a
raised protuberance 118 is provided on the support member 102 for
mating with suitably located indentations 120 (one shown in
Figure 2) ln an opposed surface of the spray selector disc member
104 for locking the dlsc member in each of its operative
positions.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 disclose a telescoping spray tube
assembly 122 which may be utilized in place of the assembly
comprising the one-piece tube 98, tube holder 100, spray selector
- 17 -
. , .
. . .

~266848
disc support member 102 and the spray selector disc 104, in the
spraying device 10 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, to provide a
modified spraying devlce 10'. The spray tube assembly 122 is
constructed such that the assembly automatically extends to an
elongated operative position, as shown in Figure 4, in response
to pressure caused by the flow of a fluid through the tube
assembly, so as to position a nozzle 124, which defines a
discharge orifice of the tube assembly, closely ad~acent an
article (not shown) being sprayed. When a spraying operation has
been completed, the spray tube assembly 122 may be manually
collapsed to a retracted inoperative condition as shown in
Flgure 5.
The telescoping spray tube assembly 122 comprises an
outer plastic tube 126, an intermediate plastic tube 128, and an
inner plastic tube 130 having the discharge
- 18 -

~266848
nozzle 124 removably mounted on an outer end thereof. As ls
clearly shown ln Figure 5, each of the tubes 126, 128 and 130 is
of contlnuous, solld construction and ha~ an essentlally smooth
unlnterrupted interlor along its length. An lnner end portion
132 of the outer tube 126 has an lnternal diameter such that the
lnner end portlon can be mounted over a pro~ectlng pedestal 75
of a cap member 48' of the spraying devlce 10', as shown in
Figures 4 and 5. For thls purpose, a lower end of the outer tube
126 includes apertured laterally pro~ecting ears 134 (Figure 4)
whlch receive respectlve upstanding locating posts 136 formed on
the cap member 48' on opposite sides of the pedestal 75' and
having their upper ends flattened into the form of rivets to
retain the telescoping spray tube assembly 122 on the cap member
48'. An 0-ring seal 137 for the outer tube 126 is provided on an
annular shoulder at an upper end of the pedestal 75'.
The outer tube 126 also lncludes a slot 138 (Flgure 5) which
straddles a reinforcing web 97' between the pedestal 75' and a
cap member pedestal 90'. Further, an outer end portlon 140 of
the outer tube 126 i8 of reduced diameter and has an internal
tapered surface (upper end of Flgure 5) to llmlt outward
*elescoping movement of the intermedlate tube 128 thereln when
the spray tube assembly 122 ls ln lts extended position.
Referring to Figure 5, an inner end of the intermedlate tube
128 lncludes an annular flange 142 receivable in the outer tube
126 in olosely spaced relationship. As in the case of the outer
tube 126, an outer end portlon 144 of the intermedlate tube 128

i26684E~
ls of reduced diameter with an lnternal tapered surface (upper
end of Figure 5) to limit outward telescoplng movement of the
inner tube 130 therein when the spray tube assembly 122 ~s ln
its extended position. Further, the cap member pedestal 75
lncludes a vertical inwardly-directed stop rib 145 for
precluding the inner tube 130 from dropping into the interior of
the pedestal.
An 0-ring seal 146 (Figure 5) of circular cross-section,
surrounds the intermediate tube 128 and is disposed between
opposed surfaces of the intermediate tube and the outer tube 126.
When the spray tube assembly 122 is in its retracted collapsed
condition as shown in Figure 5, the 0-ring seal 146 normally is
located approximately halfway between the intermediate tube
flange 142 and the reduced end portion 140 of the outer tube 126,
as shown in that figure.
As in the case of the intermediate tube 128, an inner end of
the inner tube 130 also includes an annular flange 148 which is
receivable in the lntermediate tube 128 in closely spaced
relationship. An 0-ring seal 150 of circular cross-section,
comparable to the 0-ring seal 146, surrounds the inner tube 130
approximately halfway between the flange 148 and the reduced
outer end portion 144 of the intermediate tube
- 20 -

i266848
123, when the spray tube assembly 122 is in its retracted
collapsed condition as shown in Figure 5.
As is best shown in Figure 6, an outer end portion 152
of the lnner tube 130 includes a pair of oppositely extending
retaining lugs 154 which form parts of a quick-releasable
connection for removably mounting the discharge nozzle 124 on the
inner tube. In this regard, the nozzle 124 is formed with an
inner socket in which the outer end portion 152 of the inner tube
130 can be received in seating relationship against an 0-ring
seal 156.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6, opposite walls of the
discharge nozzle 124 which define the socket therein also include
respective ones of a pair of essentially right-angle slots 158
for receiving respective ones of the retaining lugs 154. In use,
the nozzle 124 initially is positioned on the outer end portion
152 of the inner tube 130 with the retaining lugs 154 received in
axially extending portions of the right-angle slots 158, and then
the nozzle is rotated slightly to dispose the lugs in seat
portions at inner ends of circumferentially extending portions of
the right-angle slots, thereby releasably locking the nozzle on
the inner tube. Thus, the nozzle 124 and other nozzles 160,
illustrated at the left-hand side of Figure 2, of different
configurations and having right-angle mounting slots identical to
the slots 158, readily can be interchangeably mounted on the
inner tube 130 to provide various spray patterns, depending upon
the manner in which the spraying device lO' is being utilized, as
desired. For this purpose, referring to Figures lB and 2, the
housing 18 may include pro~ecting mounting lugs 162 for storing

1266848
the nozzle 124 and/or the other interchangeable nozzles 160 on
the spraying device 10'.
In use, when the control valve 30 shown in Figures 1-3
is operated to its "WATER RINSE" or "SOAP-AND-WATER" positions to
cause water or a soap-water mixture, respectively, to flow
through the spraying device 10' into the telescoping spray tube
assembly 122, fluid pressure on the intermediate tube annular
flange 142 and the inner tube annular flange 148 automatically
causes the intermediate tube 128 to telescope outwardly in the
outer tube 126, and the inner tube 130 to telescope outwardly in
the intermediate tube, respectively. Thus, the nozzle 124 on the
inner tube 130 can be automatically moved closely adjacent an
article (not shown) for a spraying operation in response to
actuation of the spraying device 10'. (The same extension of the
tube assembly 122 tends to occur,
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1~66848
although to a lesser extent, when the control valve 18 moved
into its "SOAP ONLY" operative posltlon.) When the spraying
operation ls completed and the spraylng device 10' ls turned off,
the tube assembly 122 can be collapsed manually back to its
retracted condition as shown in Figure 5, as noted above.
When the intermediate tube 128 and the inner tube 130
advance in a telescoping operation, the O-ring seals 146 and 150
tend to roll forward with the tubes on the opposed surfaces of
the tubes to facilitate their advancement. As is illustrated by
broken llnes in Figure 5, ultimately the O-ring seals 146 and 150
roll and seat against the reduced diameter outer end portions 140
and 144 of the outer tube 126 and the intermedlate tube 128,
respectlvely, with the lntermediate tube annular end flange 142
and the lnner tube annular end flange 148 seating against their
respectlve O-rlng seals tG llmit outward movement of the tubes.
Slmilarly, when the spray tube assembly 122 is collapsed back to
its retracted condition as described above, the O-ring seals 146
and 150 roll back to their intermedlate positlons as shown in
solld llnes in Figure 5, to facilitate retraction of the tube
members 126, 128 and 130.
In summary, a new and improved spraying device 10 has
been provided ln which a primary fluid, such as water,
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and an additive fluid, such as soap, can be sprayed or dlspensed
in various spray patterns separately, or as a mixture having
selectively variable concentrations of the additive fluid in the
primary fluid. Control for this purpose is provided in part by
the compound four-way control valve 30 which is movable from an
inoperative "OFF" position into first, second and third "WATER
RINSE", "SOAP-AND-WATER", and "SOAP ONLY" operative positions.
Additional control over the concentration of the additive fluid
ln the primary fluid is provided by the rotatable disc member 84
of the cap subassembly 14 and the plurality of orifices 86 of
different diameters in the disc member. In addition, various
spray patterns for different uses are provided by the rotatable
spray selector disc member 104 having the orifices 112 of various
configurations formed therethrough and selectively positionable
in alignment with the discharge opening 114 in the associated
support member 102. The construction of the spraying device 10
also is such that, with minor changes in the construction of the
cap member pedestal 75, the telescoping spray tube assembly 122
can be used to provide a modified spraying device 10' if so
desired.
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Representative Drawing